Storable exterior seat for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

An automotive seat assembly ( 10, 10 ′) including a platform ( 18, 18 ′) supported on an automotive vehicle ( 12, 12 ′). The platform ( 18, 18 ′) is movable through a storage compartment opening ( 22, 22 ′) in an exterior shell ( 14, 14 ′) of the vehicle ( 12, 12 ′) between an interior stowed position and a horizontal exterior use position. A platform support structure ( 24, 24 ′) secures the platform ( 18, 18 ′) in the use position. The platform support structure ( 24, 24 ′) includes a bumper ( 26, 26 ′) supported on the vehicle ( 12, 12 ′) below the storage compartment opening ( 22, 22 ′). The bumper ( 26, 26 ′) supports the platform ( 18, 18 ′) when the platform ( 18, 18 ′) is in the use position. A spacer pad ( 36 ) fixed to a bottom surface ( 62 ) of the platform ( 18 ) protects the finish of the bumper ( 26 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates generally to an automotive seat and, moreparticularly, to such a seat that is movable between a stowed and a useposition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known for automotive vehicles such as pickup trucks andstation wagons to have fold-down tailgates that may be used, when thevehicle is parked, as a seat or as a table-top for placing items such asdrinks, food, and the like.

For vehicles without fold-down tailgates or similar such structures, therear bumper may be the only convenient alternative surface available foruse as a seat or a table-top. However, the upper surfaces of bumpers aretypically quite narrow and are often slanted at an angle that wouldcause a seated person to slide off or have to push back with his or herlegs to remain seated. In addition, bumper surfaces are typically coatedwith substances such as dirt and road salt—substances which can leaveunsightly marks on one's clothing.

What is needed is a stowable seat with a surface that is wide enough andlevel enough to seat a person without the problems present in existingrear bumper configurations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An automotive seat assembly 10, 10′ is provided that comprises aplatform 18, 18′ including an upper seating surface 20, 20′ supported onan automotive vehicle 12, 12′. The vehicle 12, 12′ includes an exteriorshell 14, 14′ that defines and bounds a vehicle interior. At least aportion of the upper seating surface 20, 20′ extends outside the vehicleinterior when the platform 18, 18′ is in a generally horizontal useposition. A platform support structure 24, 24′ is supported on thevehicle 12, 12′ and is engageable with the platform 18, 18′ to supportthe platform 18, 18′ in the use position. Characterizing the inventionis an opening 22, 22′ in the exterior shell 14, 14′ through which theplatform 18, 18′ is movable between the use position and an interiorstowed position within the vehicle interior to protect the platform 18,18′ from the elements and to prevent the platform 18, 18′ frominterfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper 26, 26′ in acollision.

Unlike existing automotive seating systems and exterior vehiclestructures, a seat assembly constructed according to the presentinvention has a platform and seating surface that may be kept clean bymoving the platform to a stowed position in the vehicle interior whenthe seat assembly is not in use. In addition, the platform width mayextend laterally beyond an associated vehicle bumper when in the useposition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To better understand and appreciate the invention, refer to thefollowing detailed description in connection with the accompanyingdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exterior seat assembly constructedaccording to the present invention and installed in an automotivevehicle with a platform of the seat assembly in a use position;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away cross-sectional perspective view of theseat assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the platform portion of the seat assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the seat assembly ofFIG. 1 with the platform between a stowed and a raised position;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1with the platform in the stowed position;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1with the platform in a raised position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the seat assembly of FIG. 1with the platform in the use position; and

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment ofthe seat assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

An automotive seat assembly constructed according to the presentinvention is generally shown at 10 in FIGS. 1-7. The automotive seatassembly 10 includes an automotive vehicle 12 comprising an exteriorshell 14 that defines and bounds a vehicle interior 16. Supported on thevehicle 12 is a movable platform 18 with an upper seating surface 20.

The platform 18 is movable between an interior stowed position within astorage compartment in the vehicle interior 16 and a generallyhorizontal exterior use position. The platform 18 is shown in the useposition in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 and in the stowed position in FIG. 5. Inthe use position at least a portion of the upper seating surface 20extends outside the vehicle interior 16. While moving between these twopositions, the platform 18 passes through a storage compartment opening22 in the exterior shell 14.

A platform support structure, generally indicated at 24 in FIGS. 1, 2and 4-7, is supported on the vehicle 12 adjacent the opening 22. As isdescribed in greater detail below, in the present embodiment, theplatform support structure 24 includes both a rear bumper 26 attached tothe vehicle 12 and structures forming and defining the storagecompartment opening 22. The platform support structure 24 engages theplatform 18, both at the storage compartment opening 22 and at the rearbumper 26, to secure the platform 18 in the use position and to supportthe platform 18 when downward loads and/or side loads are applied to theseating surface 20.

For purposes of this description, the exterior shell 14 of theautomotive vehicle 12 is defined to include an unbroken imaginaryexterior surface coinciding with the exterior surfaces 14 of all vehicleexterior body panels, underbody panels, suspension components and framemembers. This imaginary shell also extends across all openings into thevehicle interior 16 such as window frames, grilles and the like.

For purposes of this description, the vehicle interior 16 is defined asincluding the entire region bounded by the imaginary shell describedabove. This region includes but is not limited to the passengercompartment, the engine compartment, the luggage compartment, the trunk,and spaces and structures located between the passenger compartment andexterior body panels.

As best shown in FIG. 1, the rear bumper 26 projects outward from apoint on a back end portion 28 of the vehicle exterior shell 14 adjacenta back gate 30 or trunk lid of the vehicle 12.

As shown in FIG. 1, a cut-out region 32 is disposed along the lowermarginal edge of the back gate 30. The cut-out region 32 is shaped tofit over an inner edge 34 of the platform 18 when the platform 18 is inthe use position. This allows an operator to close the back gate 30 overthe platform 18 when the platform 18 is in the use position.Alternatively, the cut-out region 32 can be provided in a cross-panelthat is below the lower edge of a trunk lid or a tail gate.

The platform 18 has a generally rectangular plate-like shape and ispreferably made of a plastic or other durable material resistant tomarring, puncturing and damage from golf spikes or the like. Thisconstruction is intended to allow a person to place his or her foot onthe platform 18 without damaging the platform 18.

As shown in FIGS. 2-7, the platform 18 includes a rectangular spacer pad36 fastened by known means to a bottom surface of the platform 18opposite the upper seating surface 20. When the platform 18 is in theuse position, the spacer pad 36 spaces the platform 18 above andsupports the platform 18 on an upper surface of the bumper 26. Thespacer pad 36 can be made of soft material that also serves to protectthe finish on the upper surface of the bumper 26, if necessary, fromdamage that might be caused by direct contact with the platform 18.

In the stowed position, the platform 18 is upwardly and rearwardlyinclined with an outer edge 38 of the platform 18 disposed higher thanthe platform inner edge 34. The platform 18 is translationally movablealong an imaginary inclined plane defined by the orientation of theplatform 18 in the stowed position shown in FIG. 5 through the cut-outregion 32. The platform 18 is movable in this imaginary plane betweenthe interior stowed position and an exterior raised position shown inFIG. 5. The platform 18 is pivotally movable between the raised positionand the use position about a horizontal pivot axis shown at 40 in FIGS.1-4. The pivot axis 40 is disposed adjacent and parallel to the platforminner edge 34.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7, the platform 18 includes two pieces of mountinghardware 42 that are pivotally attached at opposite ends of the inneredge 34 of the platform 18 along the horizontal pivot axis 40. Eachpiece of mounting hardware 42 has an L-shaped profile and an upper endpivotally attached to the platform 18. The mounting hardware 42 isconfigured to allow the platform 18 to slide between the stowed andraised positions and to engage and pivot about an upper portion 44 ofthe platform support structure 24 between the raised and use positions.In other words, the mounting hardware 42 provides a pivot slideconnection between the platform support structure 24 and the platform18. As shown in FIGS. 2-7, the platform 18 also comprises a firstdeployment retainer surface 46 disposed adjacent the platform inner edge34 on an inner surface of each piece of mounting hardware 42 adjacent alower end of each piece of hardware 42.

The platform 18 includes a handle 48 disposed adjacent the outer edge 38of the platform 18. The handle 48 comprises an elongated slot formedinto an elongated tab portion extending outward from the outer platformedge. The handle 48 allows an operator to easily grasp the outer edge 38of the platform 18 to move the platform 18 between the stowed and usepositions. The handle 48 is integrally formed with the platform 18 as asingle unitary piece. In the stowed position the platform outer edge 38may be disposed flush with the vehicle exterior shell 14. The outer edge38 may also be painted the same color as the vehicle exterior shell 14to help conceal the platform 18.

The platform support structure 24 includes the rear bumper 26. The rearbumper 26 has an elongated shape and is mounted horizontally on thevehicle 12 along the back end exterior shell portion 28 of the vehicle12 below the storage compartment opening 22 by suitable frame bracketsor other support structures of a conventional type (not shown). The rearbumper 26 supports the platform 18 under downward loads when theplatform 18 is in the use position.

As previously stated, the platform support structure 24 also includesstructures that form and define the storage compartment opening 22. Oneof those structures is a structural floor pan 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and4-7. As is best shown in FIG. 4, a second deployment retainer surface 52is disposed on a lower surface of an overhang formed in an upper edge ofthe floor pan 50 adjacent each end of the storage compartment opening22. The first deployment retainer surface 46 of the platform hardware 42engages the second deployment retainer surface 52 when the platform 18is in the raised and use positions.

A platform storage compartment, shown at 54 in FIGS. 2 and 4-7, isdisposed in the vehicle interior 16 adjacent the storage compartmentopening 22 in the vehicle exterior shell 14. In other words, the storagecompartment 54 is accessible through the exterior shell 14 via thestorage compartment opening 22, i.e., the opening 22 in the vehicleexterior shell 14. At least a portion of the platform 18 is disposedwithin the storage compartment 54 when the platform 18 is in the stowedposition.

The storage compartment 54 comprises a portion of a space defined by anddisposed between the structural floor pan 50 and a support panel 56 ofthe vehicle 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-7. The support panel 56 has amarginal rear edge 58 spaced from an upstanding end wall 60 of the floorpan 50 defining the slot-like storage compartment opening 22 in theexterior shell 14.

The support panel 56 overlies the floor pan 50 providing, in a typicalfashion, space therebetween. If the vehicle 12 is a sport utilityvehicle, a station wagon or a van, then the support panel 56 willcomprise the interior floor surface at the back of the vehicle 12. Onthe other hand, if the vehicle 12 is a sedan or other vehicle equippedwith a trunk, then the support panel 56 will comprise the floor or deckof the trunk. In either case, the support panel 56 may be eitherpermanently fixed in place or may be removably installed to allow accessto the storage compartment 54.

In the present embodiment, in addition to the rear bumper 26, theplatform support structure 24 also includes the upstanding rear wall 60of the floor pan 50 and the upturned marginal rear edge 58 of thesupport panel 56. Together, the floor pan rear wall 60 and the upturnedsupport panel rear edge 58 sandwich the mounting hardware 42 when theplatform 18 is in either the raised position or the use position. Withthe mounting hardware 42 secured between these structures and with theplatform 18 rotated downwardly into the use position, a bottom surface62 of the platform 18 engages an upper marginal edge surface of thesupport panel 56. This holds the first deployment retainer surface 46against the second deployment retainer surface 52 which effectivelysecures the platform inner edge 34 against both vertical and fore-aftlateral movement. The storage compartment 54 is sheltered from theelements by well-known means such as drain gutters and weather strips.

Two backstop members, one of which is shown at 64 in FIGS. 2 and 4-7,are connected to the floor pan 50 in the storage compartment 54. Thebackstop members 64 support the platform 18 by engaging the two hardwarepieces 42 when the platform 18 is in the stowed position. Morespecifically, each backstop member 64 has a first backstop surface 66that engages a second backstop surface 68 disposed on each of the outersurfaces of the two hardware pieces 42 of the platform 18 when theplatform 18 is in the stowed position. The backstop members 64 retainthe platform 18 in the stowed position, preventing the platform 18 fromsliding further into the vehicle interior 16 and out of reach. Suitableside guides are provided—one of which is shown at 69 in FIGS. 6 and 7.

In other embodiments, the platform 18 may have other suitable shapes,may be constructed from different materials, and may include more thanone spacer pad 36. The platform 18 may be inclined at an angle otherthan as shown in the present embodiment. For example, the platform 18may be inclined in the vertical, i.e., it may have a 90 degree inclineas measured from the horizontal. In addition, any of a number ofdifferent types of mounting hardware may be employed in connecting theplatform 18 to the support structure 24.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, a platform 18′ is pulled outwardlyof a horizontally-disposed storage compartment 70 from a stowed positionshown in solid line to a use position shown in broken line. In otherwords, the platform 18′ is oriented horizontally in the stowed positionand is horizontally and translationally movable between the interiorstowed position and the use position. Parts in this embodiment that aresimilar to corresponding parts shown in the prior embodiment have thesame reference numeral, only primed.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the platform 18′ comprises a first deploymentretainer surface 46′ disposed adjacent an inner edge 34′ of the platform18′. The platform support structure 24′ comprises a second deploymentretainer surface 52′ disposed adjacent the opening 22′ in the exteriorshell 14′. The first retainer surface 46′ engages the second deploymentretainer surface 52′ when the platform (18′) is in the use position.

The storage compartment 70 is disposed in the vehicle 12′ adjacent theopening 22′ in the vehicle exterior shell 14′. The storage compartment70 is accessible through the exterior shell 14′ via the opening 22′. Atleast a portion of the platform 18′ is disposed within the storagecompartment 70 when the platform 18′ is in the stowed position.

The storage compartment 70 comprises a portion of a space between a toppanel 72 and a support panel 56′ of the vehicle 12′. The top panel 72and the support panel 56′ are disposed above and below the opening 22′,respectively.

Two backstop members 64′ are supported on the support panel 56′ adjacentthe platform 18′ in the stowed position. Each backstop member 64′ has afirst backstop surface 66′ engageable with a second backstop surface 68′disposed on the platform 18′ when the platform 18′ is in the stowedposition.

Other versions of the embodiment of FIG. 7A may also include a spacerpad as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 7 at 36.

In practice, a seat assembly 10 constructed according to the presentinvention is employed by first grasping the platform handle 48 andwithdrawing the platform 18 from its stowed position by pulling theplatform 18 translationally and diagonally upward and outward. Theplatform 18 is pulled diagonally upward and outward until it reaches thetransitory raised position where the first deployment retainer surface46 engages the second deployment retainer surface 52 preventing theplatform 18 from being withdrawn further. In this position the platform18 is positioned above the use position. The platform outer edge 38 isthen lowered, pivoting the platform 18 downward about the pivot axis 40to the generally horizontal use position with the spacer pad 36 restingon the rear bumper 26 of the vehicle 12.

Once the platform 18 is in the use position an object may be rested onthe upper seating surface 20 of the platform 18. The seating surface 20is intended to support any of a number of different objects to includefood and drink containers, a foot or the posterior of a seated person.

Following use, the platform 18 is stowed by lifting the outer edge 38 ofthe platform 18 upward until the platform 18 has pivoted about the pivotaxis 40 into the raised position. In the raised position the platform 18is positioned at an insertion angle that will allow it to be inserteddiagonally downward into the storage compartment 54. Finally, theplatform 18 is lowered translationally and diagonally from the raisedposition into the stowed position against the backstops 64 in thestorage compartment 54.

In the embodiment of FIG. 7A, the seat assembly 10′ is employed by firstgrasping the platform handle 48′ and withdrawing the platform 18′horizontally and translationally outward from its stowed position in thestorage compartment 70. The platform 18′ is pulled outward to the useposition where the first deployment retainer surface 46′ engages thesecond deployment retainer surface 52′ preventing the platform 18′ frombeing withdrawn further and where the platform 18′ is resting on therear bumper 26′ of the vehicle 12′. Following use, the platform 18′ isstowed by pushing the platform 18′ inward out of the use position andinto the stowed position against the backstops 64′ in the storagecompartment 70.

In other embodiments, platform 18 deployment and stowage may beautomatic rather than manual. Automatic deployment and stowage may bepowered by any one or more of a number of different drive mechanismsknown in the art such as electric servomotors, hydraulic actuators andpneumatic cylinders. Automatic deployment and stowage may be initiatedby any one of a number of different electric and/or mechanical switchingmechanisms known in the art.

By including the vehicle rear bumper 26 in the platform supportstructure 24, the platform 18 can be vertically supported without theadditional structural strength that would be required to support theplatform 18 in a cantilevered fashion without bumper support.

I intend the above description to illustrate embodiments of the presentinvention by using descriptive rather than limiting words. Obviously,there are many ways that one might modify these embodiments whileremaining within the scope of the claims. In other words, there are manyother ways that one may practice the present invention without exceedingthe scope of the claims (where reference numerals are included merelyfor convenience and are not limiting).

I claim:
 1. An automotive vehicle (12, 12′) and seat assembly (10, 10′)in which: the vehicle (12, 12′) includes an exterior shell (14) thatdefines and bounds a vehicle interior (16, 16′); the seat assembly (12,12′) includes a platform (18, 18′) including an upper seating surface(20, 20′) supported on said vehicle (12, 12′), at least a portion ofsaid upper seating surface (20, 20′) extending outside said vehicleinterior (16, 16′) in a generally horizontal use position; the vehicle(12, 12′) including a platform support structure (24, 24′) engageablewith said platform (18, 18′) to support said platform (18, 18′) in saiduse position; an opening (22, 22′) is disposed in said exterior shell(14, 14′), said platform (18, 18′) being movable through said opening(22, 22′) between said use position and an interior stowed positionwithin said vehicle interior (16, 16′) to protect said platform (18,18′) from the elements and to prevent said platform (18, 18′) frominterfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper (26, 26′) in acollision; said platform (18) defines an inclined plane when in saidstowed position with an outer edge (38) of said platform (18) disposedhigher than an inner edge (34) of said platform (18); said platform (18)is translationally movable along said inclined plane between saidinterior stowed position and an exterior raised position above said useposition; and said platform (18) is pivotally movable between saidraised position and said use position about a horizontal pivot axis (40)disposed adjacent and parallel to said platform inner edge (34).
 2. Anautomotive vehicle (12, 12′) and seat assembly (10, 10′), the vehicle(12, 12′) including an exterior shell (14) that defines and bounds avehicle interior (16, 16′); the seat assembly (12, 12′) comprising: aplatform (18, 18′) including an upper seating surface (20, 20′)supported on said vehicle (12, 12′), at least a portion of said upperseating surface (20, 20′) extending outside said vehicle interior (16,16′) in a generally horizontal use position; the vehicle including aplatform support structure (24, 24′) engageable with said platform (18,18′) to support said platform (18, 18′) in said use position; saidvehicle (12, 12′) including an opening (22, 22′) in said exterior shell(14, 14′), said platform (18, 18′) being movable through said opening(22, 22′) between said use position and an interior stowed positionwithin said vehicle interior (16, 16′) to protect said platform (18,18′) from the elements and to prevent said platform (18, 18′) frominterfering with the operation of a vehicle bumper (26, 26′) in acollision; said platform support structure (24, 24′) including a bumper(26, 26′) supported below said opening (22, 22′) in said exterior shell(14, 14′), said bumper (26, 26′) supporting said platform (18, 18′) whensaid platform (18, 18′) is in said use position.
 3. An automotivevehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim 2 in which saidplatform (18) includes at least one spacer (36) disposed on a bottomsurface (62) of said platform (18) opposite said upper seating surface(20).
 4. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined inclaim 2 in which said vehicle (12) includes a back gate (30) and inwhich said back gate (30) includes a cut-out region (32) disposed alonga lower marginal edge of said back gate (30), said cut-out region (32)shaped to fit over an inner edge (34) of said platform (18) in said useposition.
 5. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined inclaim 2 in which: said platform (18) is oriented on an imaginaryinclined plane in said stowed position with an outer edge (38) of saidplatform (18) disposed higher than an inner edge (34) of said platform(18); said platform (18) is translationally movable along said inclinedplane between said interior stowed position and an exterior raisedposition above said use position; and said platform (18) is pivotallymovable between said raised position and said use position about ahorizontal pivot axis (40) disposed adjacent and parallel to saidplatform inner edge (34).
 6. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly(10) as defined in claim 5 in which: said platform (18) comprises afirst deployment retainer surface (46) disposed adjacent said platforminner edge (34); said platform support structure (24) comprises a seconddeployment retainer surface (52) disposed adjacent said opening (22) insaid exterior shell (14); and said first retainer surface (46) engagessaid second deployment retainer surface (52) when said platform (18) isin said use position.
 7. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) asdefined in claim 6 in which said platform (18) includes mountinghardware pivotally attached to said inner edge (34) of said platform(18) along said horizontal pivot axis (40).
 8. An automotive vehicle andseat assembly (10) as defined in claim 7 further including a storagecompartment (54) disposed in said vehicle (12) adjacent said opening(22) in said vehicle exterior shell (14), said storage compartment (54)being accessible through said exterior shell (14) via said opening (22),at least a portion of said platform (18) being disposed within saidstorage compartment (54) in said stowed position.
 9. An automotivevehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim 8 in which saidstorage compartment (54) comprises a portion of a space between a floorpan (50) and a support panel (56) of said vehicle (12), said supportpanel (56) having a marginal rear edge (58) spaced from an upstandingend wall (60) of said floor pan (50) defining said opening (22) in saidexterior shell (14).
 10. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) asdefined in claim 9 further including at least one backstop member (64)supported on said floor pan (50) adjacent said platform (18) in saidstowed position, said backstop member (64) having a first backstopsurface (66) engageable with a second backstop surface (68) disposed onsaid platform (18) when said platform (18) is in said stowed position.11. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10) as defined in claim 10in which said first deployment retainer surface (46) and said secondbackstop surface (68) are disposed on said mounting hardware.
 12. Anautomotive vehicle and seat assembly (10′) as defined in claim 2 inwhich: said platform (18′) is oriented horizontally in said stowedposition; said platform (18′) is horizontally and translationallymovable between said interior stowed position and said use position. 13.An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10′) as defined in claim 12 inwhich: said platform (18′) comprises a first deployment retainer surface(46′) disposed adjacent an inner edge (34′) of said platform (18′); saidplatform support structure (24′) comprises a second deployment retainersurface (52′) disposed adjacent said opening (22′) in said exteriorshell (14′); and said first retainer surface (46′) engages said seconddeployment retainer surface (52′) when said platform (18′) is in saiduse position.
 14. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10′) asdefined in claim 13 further including a storage compartment (70)disposed in said vehicle (12′) adjacent said opening (22′) in saidvehicle exterior shell (14′), said storage compartment (70) beingaccessible through said exterior shell (14′) via said opening (22′), atleast a portion of said platform (18′) being disposed within saidstorage compartment (70) in said stowed position.
 15. An automotivevehicle and seat assembly (10′) as defined in claim 14 in which saidstorage compartment (70) comprises a portion of a space between a toppanel (72) and a support panel (56′) of said vehicle (12′), said toppanel (72) and said support panel (56′) disposed above and below saidopening (22′), respectively.
 16. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly(10, 10′) as defined in claim 1 further including a handle (48, 48′)disposed adjacent an outer edge (38, 38′) of said platform (18, 18′).17. An automotive vehicle and seat assembly (10, 10′) as defined inclaim 16 in which said handle is integrally formed with said platform(18, 18′) as a single unitary piece.
 18. An automotive seat assembly(10, 10′) comprising: a platform (18, 18′) having an upper seatingsurface (20, 20′); a platform support structure (24, 24′) engageablewith said platform (18, 18′) and configured to be supported on anautomotive vehicle (12, 12′) and to secure said platform (18, 18′) in agenerally horizontal exterior use position on the vehicle; said supportstructure (24, 24′), further configured to support said platform (18,18′) for movement between said exterior use position and an interiorstowed position generally within said platform storage compartment (54,70); said platform (18) defines an inclined plane when in said stowedposition with an outer edge (38) of said platform (18) disposed higherthan an inner edge (34) of said platform (18); said platform (18) istranslationally movable along said inclined plane between said interiorstowed position and an exterior raised position above said use position;and said platform (18) is pivotally movable between said raised positionand said use position about a horizontal pivot axis (40) disposedadjacent and parallel to said platform inner edge (34).
 19. Anautomotive seat assembly (10, 10′) comprising: a platform (18, 18′)having an upper seating surface (20, 20′); a platform support structure(24, 24′) engageable with said platform (18, 18′) and configured to besupported on an automotive vehicle (12, 12′) and to secure said platform(18, 18′) in a generally horizontal exterior use position on thevehicle, said support structure (24, 24′), further configured to supportsaid platform (18, 18′) for movement between said exterior use positionand an interior stowed position generally within said platform storagecompartment (54, 70), said platform support structure (24, 24′)including a bumper (26, 26′) configured to be supported on a vehicle(12, 12′) adjacent said storage compartment (54, 70), at least a portionof said platform (18, 18′) extending from said opening (22, 22′) andresting on said bumper (26, 26′) when said platform (18, 18′) is in saiduse position.
 20. A method for using an automotive seat assembly (10,10′) supported on an automotive vehicle (12, 12′), the vehicle having astorage compartment (54, 70), the seat assembly including a platform(18, 18′) movable between an interior stowed position within saidstorage compartment and a generally horizontal exterior use position,said method including the steps of: moving the platform from the stowedposition; moving the platform to the use position; and said step ofmoving the platform (18, 18′) to the use position includes the step ofresting the platform (18, 18′) on an automotive bumper (26, 26′)supported adjacent the storage compartment (54, 70).
 21. A method forusing an automotive seat assembly (10, 10′) supported on an automotivevehicle (12, 12′), the vehicle having a storage compartment (54, 70),the seat assembly including a platform (18, 18′) movable between aninterior stowed position within said storage compartment and a generallyhorizontal exterior use position, said method including the steps of:moving the platform from the stowed position; moving the platform to theuse position; said step of withdrawing the platform (18) from the stowedposition includes the step of pulling the platform (18) translationallyupward and outward to a transitory raised position above the useposition; and said step of moving the platform (18) to the use positionincludes the step of lowering an outer edge (38) of the platform (18) topivot the platform (18) downward about a pivot axis (40) disposedadjacent and parallel to an inner edge (34) of the platform (18) to thegenerally horizontal use position.
 22. The method of claim 21 furtherincluding the step of stowing the platform (18) by: lifting the outeredge (38) of the platform (18) upward until the platform (18) haspivoted about the pivot axis (40) into the raised position; andtranslationally lowering the platform (18) into the stowed position.